Okay but how about OkuJima and gardening together??
knowing the application is just as important as the theory, sae would tell makoto. life experiences, her dad would say, are so much more valuable than just reading. she needed to take her nose out of the books some time. and to makoto’s defense, she tries more now than before. being a phantom thief has opened her eyes to what her dad had always said and had given her the confidence to pursue what she wants.
except. nursing a crush on someone is apparently the exception to this newfound confidence of hers. thankfully she does have some experience with this thanks to akira (and if makoto has been missing him more lately, wishing he was around so she could just talk to him, she’s sure everyone else feels the same) so she’s not a total fool, but crushing on a girl is, well.
makoto tells herself she won’t let others influence her. if she can commit to the idea of leading the police force, then she can commit to the idea that she’s in love with one haru okumaru. she won’t hide it. she isn’t hiding it. just, she has no idea if haru feels the same.
she knows she needs to spend time with haru, that she’ll never find out if haru feels the same if she doesn’t, and so when the other girl asks if makoto is available after school to help with her garden makoto says yes perhaps a bit too quickly. but haru just smiles and thanks her.
so here they are. haru is chattering away about different types of fertilizer and what seeds she’s thinking of buying, and makoto is replying at the appropriate times with the appropriate words (who would’ve guessed her studies would’ve helped with this sort of conversation?) but her thoughts are racing, her movements stiff as she scoops out small pockets of dirt so haru can deposit the seeds.
haru leans in close to reach the newest hole, and she turns to ask makoto something. what the question is goes unheard as makoto’s thoughts become a string of oh my god she is so close wow!! wha fdjgkdfgj
before she can second guess herself makoto leans forward to kiss the shorter girl. there’s a squeak from haru but then a weight as haru leans into the kiss. she’s the one to break it off, giggling.
“thank goodness!” she exclaims, sitting back. “i was hoping you liked me!”
“you- you like me?” makoto asks, her usual composure gone. haru smiles and nods.
makoto leans in to kiss her again. she’s waited this long to do so. talking can come later. from the way haru shuffles closer, leaning into the kiss, makoto can deduce that haru doesn’t mind this one bit.